365 days of emerging, established and one of a kind artists

Day 141: Courage Benally

I was born and raised in Pinon, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. I attended numerous government boarding schools and grew up surrounded by my traditional Dineh (Navaho) culture. I attended the University of Washington and then later spent my adult career in education in the Seattle area. I taught physical fitness and art classes. Being in the Pacific Northwest area I learned the Northwest Coastal native traditions and art styles. I retired recently and moved to the Prescott area to practice my own art. I love to work in all media and I try not to restrict myself to one style. It is important to me to keep in touch with my friends, family, and culture. I participate in the Intertribal Pow-wow dancing and I perform and teach the hoop dance for schools and organizations.